Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Reynolds that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting held on Monday, May 7, 2018 are accepted and placed on file. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Petitions:

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Schneider to refer the request from Timothy and Cheryl Robey for a variance to the rear yard setback requirement from 25 ft. to 10ft. for the construction of a garage at 1365 Tonti Street to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Demes to grant the request of Designs and Signs for a Sign Permit to install a 3’ x 2’, single-face, non-illuminated, ground sign for Kate Brown Healing Essentials located at 665 E US Hwy 6 pending confirmation that the sign conforms to IDOT regulations. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to grant the request of Ameren Illinois to break ground at 1064 Creve Coeur to relocate gas main valve. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Lavieri and seconded by Alderman Herndon to allow Tim McTaggart, Engineering Supervisor with Ameren to address the council.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Mr. Tim McTaggart explained in more detail the request from Ameren to replace aging underground electric infrastructure in the alley between 2nd and 3rd Streets from Joliet Street to Wright Street. Mr. McTaggart stated that the work is set to begin in June. Mayor Grove stated that he preferred the work be pushed back to July due to Celebrate La Salle at the end of June. Mr. McTaggart stated that he will communicate the Mayor’s request. He indicated that any outages will be communicated in advance and Ameren will be sensitive to those impacted. Any outages should brief. Police Chief Uranich stated that the repairs would also affect parking for squads and a power outage could affect his department as well. Mr. McTaggart stated that they will work with the Police Department and perhaps do a section at a time to keep disruption to a minimum.

Attorney McPhedran questioned the need for easements. Mr. McTaggart stated that all the work being done is in the City Right-of-way and their current franchise agreements allow them to install or construct as needed.

City Engineer Brown expressed concerns about how the alley will be left after the work. He stated that it is a newer alley and hoped it would be left in the same or better condition. Mr. McTaggart stated he will work with the City Engineer regarding backfill and coordinate supervision while patches are being done so that finished surfaces match. City Engineer Brown was given a plan layout showing where the new utilities will be placed. He expressed concern that if and when the City needs to do a water main replacement that the new infrastructure placed by Ameren will not interfere.

Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Bacidore to grant the request of Ameren Illinois to install underground electric in the alley between 2nd and 3rd Streets from Joliet to Wright Streets, with pedestal equipment potentially being located on City property with the parameters agreed to above. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Reports Of City Officers:

Moved by Alderman Bacidore and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file the Building Inspector’s Report for April 2018 showing total fees collected of $1,285 and total value of construction of $162, 450. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to accept and place on file the Monthly Police Income Report for April 2018 showing total fees collected of $5,195.29. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Communications:

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to accept and place on file the Illinois Department of Revenue Report showing sales tax collected for February 2018 of $64,886.38 and referendum approved sales tax of $26,601.99 for a total of $91.488.37. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.

Old Business:

Moved by Alderman Schneider and seconded by Alderman Duncan to authorize, pay and place on file Pay Estimate #1 and Final to Midwest Testing Services Inc. for the Rotary Park Ballfield Lighting Borings and Geotechnical Report totaling $11,050. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Moved by Alderman Schneider and seconded by Alderman Herndon to authorize, pay and place on file Pay Estimate #3 and Final to JB Contracting Corp. for the Rotary Park Ballfield Lighting project totaling $61,784. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Mayor Grove thanked the council for allotting the funding to install lighting at Rotary Park. He stated that he has received positive comments and feedback. He expressed thanks to Superintendent Bumgarner and City Engineer Brown, Midwest Testing and McCleary Engineering for their efforts. He also thanked JB Contracting for their efforts to ensure the lights were installed by our deadline. He thanked Mark Schneider who is the liaison between the City and boy’s baseball as well as Park Director Lynda Kasik for preparing the fields. The Mayor said it is our hope in the future to build a permanent concession stand, restrooms and an announcer’s booth and hoped perhaps some donations may come forward for those purposes.

Economic Development Director Katherine Toraason and City Engineer Brian Brown announced that the City received a $500,000 CDBG Grant award for the Hegeler Park storm sewer separation project. In a meeting with NCICG, they made the City aware that Revolving Loan Fund money can also be used toward this project. Currently, the City has approximately $136,000 in that fund which can be used in addition to the $500,000. Discussion followed regarding the separation project and how the project affects drainage in the long term. Mr. Brown explained that later in the meeting the council will need to consider a Resolution authorizing NCICG to submit a new grant application for the $136,000. The cost is $1,000 for their services. In addition, they will facilitate a public hearing, which is scheduled for June 4, in order to authorize the submittal of the grant request for the $136,000. Mr. Brown stated that he has the construction permits, but there are other requirements and paperwork that must be completed before construction can begin. It will possibly be bid in the fall or over the winter with work to commence in the spring. Mr. Brown said one of the positives of receiving this grant is that it has set a precedent for receiving future grants for projects similar in nature.

New Business:

Moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to authorize the purchase of a 2015 John Deere Model 410L backhoe from Martin Equipment totaling $75,350. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Mayor Grove congratulated the LP Girls Track Team on their efforts at State, as well as the St. Bede Girls Softball team who won regionals and will advance to sectionals.

Mayor reminded residents that tickets will be issued for high grass. Alderman Herndon reminded residents that grass clippings are not allowed into the street and burning is not allowed in the City.

Mayor Grove stated that yard waste bags are picked up on Monday. He indicated that the City is aware of concerns with Republic Services and that the City is working closely to ensure that good service is provided to our residents.

Mayor Grove announced that the pool will open the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The pool has added a new concession stand, splash pad features and lockers in the changing rooms. There is a quarter deposit on the lockers which is returned when the locker key is turned in. A booklet of fifty swim passes for $100 are available or entry is $3.00 at the door.

Mayor Grove recognized the Police Chiefs of La Salle, Peru and Oglesby, as well as Finance Director Duncan and Peru’s Finance Director Justin Miller for continuing to get the word out concerning the potential shared police services. They have been attending various Rotary clubs and LBA to continue to get the word out on the project. Mayor also thanked Jeff Dankert for the article recapping the LBA presentation and asked Jeremy Aiken if it may be possible to get on WLPO as well, so that questions could be answered. The Mayor stated that it is the goal to be transparent with the public so accurate facts are relayed. Finance Director Duncan stated if the City remains in for the first phase we will be responsible for our proportionate share of the budgeted amount of $100,000 which includes engineering, architectural and attorney fees. At this point the Mayor stated that he believes La Salle will benefit from the shared services, however he is most interested in how the potential shared services will work from an operational standpoint. He added that having our constituents properly served is his main concern. Police Chief Uranich stated that no locations have been secured for a potential shared police station.

City Engineer Brown indicated that he received a request from Comcast for the approval of a permit to install 2” conduit from 101 First Street to 85 Chartres Street by directional bore. However, the request came in after the agenda was finalized and posted. City Engineer Brown stated that he had no issue with the request. A straw poll was taken and all were in favor of granting the request.

Finance Director Duncan stated that he and several other communities met recently with Republic Services. During the meeting, Republic representatives explained that China has stopped accepting recycling items from foreign countries, which could impact local recycling. He also learned that Republic is working on switching out their call center with hopes of increasing the level of service. There was also discussion concerning the totes which several surrounding cities are now using. Finance Director Duncan stated that at this time, for La Salle, the cost savings would be realized by Republic and not the consumer. At this time, the City is locked into a contract until 2023, so we do not have to make those decisions at this point unless it is acceptable to us. Brief discussion followed regarding the totes.

Ordinances/Resolutions:

Moved by Alderman Demes and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to pass and place on file Ordinance 2731: Authorizing an Agreement between the City of La Salle and Paramedic Services of Illinois Inc. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Ordinance 2731: Authorizing an Agreement between the City of La Salle and Paramedic Services of Illinois Inc.

Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to pass and place on file Ordinance 2732: Authorizing Acquisition of Police Squad Cars and Related Financing Matters. Each and every alderman has a copy.

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Schneider to pass and place on file Ordinance 2733: An Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a First Amendment to an Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the City of La Salle, La Salle County, Illinois and Waltham Community Consolidated School District No. 185 and related matters. (La Salle TIF District lll) Each and every alderman has a copy.

Ordinance 2733: Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a First Amendment to an Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the City of La Salle, La Salle County, Illinois and Waltham Community Consolidated School District No. 185 and related matters. (La Salle TIF District lll)

Moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to pass and place on file Resolution 201807: To enter into an Agreement for Application Services for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) on behalf of the City of La Salle. Each and every alderman has a copy.